Montgomery, AL – The U.S. Department of Justice has asked its criminal division to review a complaint from Alabama's senior black legislator about the governor's refusal to pay a black law firm.
Rep. Alvin Holmes, D-Montgomery, held a news conference Wednesday to release letters he received from the department outlining its decision.
Holmes had complained to the Justice Department about Gov. Bob Riley's refusal to pay $78,000 to Thomas, Means, Gillis and Seay. A legislative committee headed by Holmes hired the law firm to sue the governor. The suit sought to stop Riley from issuing a $13 million computer contract, but a judge tossed it out.
Riley's press secretary, Todd Stacy, said the governor stands by his decision not to pay the Montgomery law firm for what he calls Holmes' ``political stunts.''
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